By Alex Moss
31 DECEMBER 2016 • 10:03AM
Following yesterday’s quarter-finals action at the William Hill World Darts Championship in London, the final place at the 2017 Unibet Masters has now been decided.
The top 16 on the PDC Order of Merit following the conclusion of the World Championship, on Monday, will contest the Unibet Masters on January 27-29, 2017.
Heading into yesterday’s quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace, Simon Whitlock (16th) was the only player who could be overtaken, with Daryl Gurney needing to beat Michael van Gerwen in his quarter-final to climb into the top 16 for the first time.
The Northern Irishman was beaten 5-1 by the world number one, meaning Whitlock has secured the final place in the invitational tournament next month.
The top 16 players on the provisional PDC Order of Merit below will contest the 2017 Masters, with the final seedings from two to 10 still to be confirmed.
One first round match which we do know will take place is Michael van Gerwen (1st) against Simon Whitlock (16th), while Michael Smith (11th), Robert Thornton (12th), Kim Huybrechts (13th), Ian White (14th) and Benito van de Pas (15th) can no longer move up or down before the cut off.
Provisional PDC Order of Merit (as of 31 December, 2016)
1st – Michael van Gerwen – £1,562,000*
2nd – Gary Anderson – £660,500*
3rd – Peter Wright – £512,250*
4th – Adrian Lewis – £426,500
5th – James Wade – £392,750
6th – Phil Taylor – £360,750
7th – Dave Chisnall – £354,500
8th – Mensur Suljovic – £324,250
9th – Jelle Klaasen – £309,500
10th – Raymond van Barneveld – £299,500*
11th – Michael Smith – £290,250
12th – Robert Thornton – £283,750
13th – Kim Huybrechts – £271,000
14th – Ian White – £263,000
15th – Benito van de Pas – £251,500
16th – Simon Whitlock – £208,750
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17th – Terry Jenkins – £197,500
18th – Alan Norris – £190,750
19th – Stephen Bunting – £185,250
20th – Gerwyn Price – £182,000
21st – Daryl Gurney – £179,750
22nd – Mervyn King – £171,750
23rd – Mark Webster – £162,500
24th – Brendan Dolan – £156,750
25th – Vincent van der Voort – £153,750
26th – Justin Pipe – £143,000
27th – Steve Beaton – £141,250
28th – Joe Cullen – £132,000
29th – Jamie Caven – £120,000
30th – Kyle Anderson – £118,750
31st – Jamie Lewis – £113,250
32nd – Darren Webster – £107,250
*player is still in the World Championship
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